Decisions, Decisions! (Advice?)

Thinkin about settin up a little DWC system (4 plants) in a 4x4 tent with a 600w. It'll be my first indoor endeavor. Being new to the indoor/hydro game, I don't have too much knowledge about brands, etc. While searching the net I found a few things that are interesting: http://www.thelashop.com/winged-cool-tube-hps-mh-grow-light-kit-400w-600w.html & http://www.thelashop.com/reflective-interior-48x48x79-inch-hydroponic-grow-tent-box.html . Have any of you tried these products/ have experience with the seller? I plan on cooling it Filter>Hood>Out>Fan. I know the fan is typically in the tent, but I want that headroom. It's pretty hard to find a low volume 6" blower, so I'll have to go with 300cfm, which will easily account for the extra 4' of ducting, right? Last question: Where is a good place to buy Black 5g Buckets? I feel like I've searched EVERYWHERE to no avail. All input would be appreciated! Thanks!

hey bud, i know not everyone is on the same budget but just realize that with grow equipment, you get what you pay for. the reason the prices are so cheap on those items is because they are cheaply made; most likely in china. i think it's a crap shoot with a lot of those things. so many horror stories from guys having problems with the gear when it arrives or not even getting delivery. i would look for a more reputable place to buy from. that's just my disclaimer to you. best of luck.

you'll be fine having the fan on the outside of the tent. if you are exhausting the air into the room the tent is in then i would set it up that way. if you will have additional ducting after the fan to exhaust that air out a window or into an attic then move the fan closer to the exhaust point. 350cfm is plenty for a single 600w hood.

you should be able to get 5 gallon buckets at any hardware store.

Nuglets: Yeah man I hear ya. I don't wanna get boned with a shit light half way through a flowering, but I also find it hard to justify dropping almost 400 on a 600w light, when its my first indoor op. I simply haven't seen the difference with my own eyes, ya know? Any good suggestions on a reasnable combo? Maybe even vertical without a reflector to save a few $? Without a hood to cool, you think I could get away with just a booster fan? I plan on veggin for a few extra wks so they're gonna be big girls.Yeah I plan on either running the ducting through my extra dryer vent, or using it to help keep the basement warm lol. Black Buckets are surprisingly elusive!!!

i hear ya bud but there's no 600w light that costs that much. check this page out http://www.greners.com/i/packages/grow-light/600-watts.html. there are a few deals on there for 600w lights that come with bulbs, reflectors, yo-yo's. here's a complete package with everything you would need. http://www.greners.com/i/packages/grow-room-packages/grow-tent-packages/grow-room-packages-4x4.html if you wanted all you would have to buy is an mh bulb which isn't necessary. these are much higher quality pieces of equipment.

running HID lighting in a tent almost always requires air cooling. maybe you can get away with it in the lower wattages but with a 600w you will either need to air cool it or you'll need to get an a/c. all of the larger hydro stores carry black buckets but they are more expensive. http://www.greners.com/i/hydroponics/components/pots-buckets/black-bucket-5-gallon.html

on your setup hang everything so that the fan pulls air from the room through the carbon filter, then through the hood, then through ducting and out of the tent. hang the fan so that it is pulling air through as much equipment as possible. you can hang it outside of the tent if you like as well. the more air the fan is pulling rather that pushing the more efficient it is.

i get almost all my equipment through www.htgsupply.com not a problem with their stuff or getting it actually it was fast delivery 4 days after i called i got my packages....and 600w threw them is like 200 n thats digital ballast and includes hood and bulb